Developing Expertise in Inclusive Education

Kazakh NGOs develops expertise for professional training programs for working for children with disabilities

In 2003 and 2005 the Center “Kenes” implemented a demonstration project aimed at promoting inclusive education in Kazakhstan, and served a piloting model for the countries of Central Asia and Kazakhstan.In this framework, the Center “Kenes” conducted training seminars for the NGO experts providing services to children with severe disabilities in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. The training seminars provided information not only on the protection of the rights and interests of children with disabilities and the methods of promotion of social projects and fundraising for public organizations, but also provided opportunity for the participating NGOs to get assessment of their activities.

Although the demonstration project has been completed, the Center “Kenes” continues to work in towards capacity building and improving professional knowledge and skills of its staff. In 2013, a team of Italian experts, led by Franco Boskaini, conducted a series of workshops at the Centre “Kenes”. The results have exceeded the organizers’ expectations in terms of shared professional expertise. As a result, “Kenes” is currently negotiating with the Italian experts the terms of joint rehabilitation activities targeting children with multiple and severe disabilities such as disorders of the musculoskeletal system, behavior disorders, including autism etc. Cooperation with Italian specialists is expected to significantly enhance the professionalism of the Centre “Kenes” staff who will be able to transfer this knowledge to other regions of Kazakhstan.